How to Form Dreadlocks With Wavy Hair

By Jennifer Habersham

Once reserved for Rastafarians and proponents of counter-culture, dreadlocks are now worn by a variety of people. It is easiest to create dreadlocks with thick, straight hair that is at least 2 inches long. If you have wavy hair, you can still create dreadlocks, although the individual locks may be wavy. Rather than having a uniformed width down the entire lock, wavy hair often creates locks that are thicker in some areas than others.

Dreadlocks are easy to achieve.

Step 1

Wash and dry your hair as you usual. Comb your hair straight and clip your hair into manageable sections. The sections should be parallel to your hairline and work their way from the nape of the neck on up.

Step 2

Start at the nape of your neck and take hold of a section of hair that is no wider than two fingers. Place the comb 1 inch from the roots of the hair and comb backward toward the hairline, teasing the hair while working. Move down your hairline, 1 inch at a time, combing the hair backward toward the scalp. This creates the lock.

Step 3

Take the lock between your palms and pull your hands back and forth as though you were warming them. This will twist the lock into a cylinder shape. This is known as a palm roll. You'll notice that your locks are wavy. This is normal with wavy hair.

Step 4

Apply wax to your thumb and index finger and rub together to warm the wax. Apply the wax to the lock, starting at the roots and working your way down. The wax will keep the lock in place.

Step 5

Place the waxed lock between your hands and perform the palm roll for a second time.